Towards A Direct Detection of the Spin of Dark Matter

Abstract

We investigate the contribution of higher spin particles in the signal of direct detection experiments searching for dark matter. We consider a bosonic or fermionic higher spin dark matter (HSDM) candidate which interacts with the Standard Model via a dark U(1) mediator. For a particular subclass of interactions, spin-polarized targets may be used for spin determination: The angular dependence of scatterings can distinguish integer (spin-$s$) vs. half-integer (spin-$s + 1/2$), while the recoil energy dependence of the signal determines $s$. We consider also the signal of a supersymmetric higher spin dark sector, which suggests a characteristic signal (''SUSY Rilles'') for directional direct detection.